Candidate Spotlight

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      Tech Candidate Spotlight: Adam Gerard, Senior Software Engineer

      by

      Can you share a little bit about your educational background? 

      My educational background is decidedly mixed. I have 40+ skill or knowledge-based industry assessments/certifications along with more traditional degrees including a bachelor’s and master’s.

      The assessments and certifications (including Hired Assessments) have had the single biggest overall impact so far. They establish my ability, what I know, and how I compare with others.

      What would you like to learn more about?

      Computer Science fundamentals! I plan to go back for a second master’s and pick up more certifications in key specialization areas. They include Hashicorp Terraform, Amazon AWS, Triplebyte, and Oracle Java.

      What led you to pursue a career in tech?

      I have converging interests in computer hardware, IT, logic, language, and machines. I think it’s natural for me to gravitate toward highly technical, thinking-centric, and machine-centric jobs involving the deep use of language.

      How has your skillset evolved over the course of your career?

      I’ve branched out from Java and SQL to JavaScript, then React, Node, Python, Ruby, WordPress, and so on. I’ve been tinkering around with Haskell, Elixir, and other newer languages too. I’ve also recently prioritized various infrastructure and DevOps tools since they are of nearly equal importance and demand in most roles.

      Related: Discover the most in-demand coding skills in the 2023 State of Software Engineers

      Do you specialize in a particular area?

      I enjoy full stack work since it requires integrated, systems-type thinking. There’s often a clear path through the stack that reveals itself in this type of engineering. It’s more difficult to trace the cause and effect with other, more specialized approaches. I also think full stack specializations align well with Agile practices.

      Related: Want to Ace Technical Interviews? A Guide to Prep Software Engineers

      Is your new role different from previous ones?

      Yes, I’ve been hired as a Senior Software Engineer. I’ve steadily earned promotions or have been hired at increasingly more advanced levels over the years. However, this is the first time I’ve been hired outright as a Senior Software Engineer!

      That’s exciting! Speaking of exciting – what are you looking forward to most in your new role?

      It’s a great company doing amazing things with a strong engineering culture and reputation. For instance, Capital One is known for pioneering cutting-edge and world-changing digital and financial products (credit cards, mobile banking, online banking, etc.). I’m thrilled about the opportunity to use more Java and Java Spring too since many of my recent roles prioritized other tools and technologies.

      What was your job search experience like before you joined Hired?

      Hired has been decisive in finding great roles. It’s a better job search platform than Triplebyte and HackerRank (both of which added job search functionalities only after the fact). Recruiters reach out to qualified candidates after a vetting process and with the aid of strong testing tools (Hired Assessments are comparable to those of Triplebyte, CodeSignal, and HackerRank).

      What’s your best advice for jobseekers on Hired? 

      Refine your resume. Be succinct and highlight keywords, technologies, tools, and accomplishments. Take Hired’s assessments too. Supplement them with certifications and strong exam scores from other platforms as well.

      What would you tell someone who’s curious about Hired?

      Definitely give it a try. It’s a platform that connects recruiters from top VC-Startups, Fortune 500, and other great companies with highly qualified candidates.

      Related: How to Get Approved on Hired

      Any general advice for other tech professionals?

      Keep learning and join different practice sites (Codewars, LeetCode, HackerRank). Practice, practice, practice as you interview and search for a job! Pick up respected industry certifications or skill-based assessments to showcase on your resume (Hired.com, HackerRank, Triplebyte, CodeSignal, AWS, Azure, GCP, etc.).

      About Capital One

      Capital One is building a leading information-based technology company. We’re on a mission to help our customers succeed by bringing ingenuity, simplicity, and humanity to banking. Founded in 1988, Capital One has 5001+ employees and is headquartered in Virginia.

      Tech Stack

      Java, Spring, Angular 2, Node.JS, React, AWS, Python, Spark, Scala, Go

      Benefits

      Health/dental/vision insurance, 401K plan, performance bonus, paid time off, employee discount programs, career growth, tuition reimbursement. and more. More

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      Tech Candidate Spotlight: Andre Almar, Site Reliability Engineer

      by

      Why did you choose Hired for your search?

      I liked the simplicity of the platform and processes in general. It’s very easy to fill in your information there. The quality of the companies searching for talent on Hired’s platform is excellent. The whole platform as a whole is great!      

      Related: Meet Hired’s Candidate Experience Team: Supporting Jobseekers Every Step of the Way

      What would you tell someone who’s curious about Hired?

      Try the platform and see for yourself. Personally, I believe it’s much better to have companies reaching out to you as opposed to the other way around. Finding a new job can be a pretty miserable process if you are doing it the “old way.” 

      Hired is similar to other platforms I’ve tried before but the main difference is in the quality of the companies searching for talent. We get to connect with larger companies all around the world!

      What was your job search experience like before you joined Hired?

      It was the “same old” in the sense of me having to reach out to companies, then be vetted by each one with a different test (which is very time-consuming). Hired accelerates this process, which saves time for both sides. 

      If you’re thinking about using Hired or are currently a jobseeker on the platform, my advice is to be yourself and present yourself transparently. Don’t be afraid to show what makes you the candidate you are and what you accomplished during your past experiences.

      Related: How to Get Approved on Hired

      About Site Reliability Engineering

      Companies need Site Reliability Engineers when computer systems are not operating up to snuff. Those interested in this role likely know there is much more to it than just building and maintaining computer systems. These engineers are involved in all aspects of the application, software, and system development. 

      Top industries hiring Site Reliability Engineers

      eCommerce

      Analytics

      Security

      Platform

      Learn more about this tech role. More

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      Tech Candidate Spotlight – Decebal Dobrica, Software Architect

      by

      Why did you choose Hired for your search?

      Compared to other platforms I’ve tried, Hired stands out because of the quality of employers, especially those in London.

      Related: How to Get Approved on Hired

      When searching for a new role, the ability to have a direct contact with the company looking to hire is extremely useful. It’s more efficient to be in touch with a CTO or someone with an active role, as opposed to going through an agency.

      As for specific features on Hired, I love the “Profile Preferences” section. It allows me to filter out specific technologies and characteristics. I can get search results that reduce the need for further filtering after meeting the companies.

      What would you tell someone who’s curious about Hired?

      Hired puts you in front of the best employers in London while helping you refine the way you present yourself to them. Hired gives you tips based on employer feedback to optimize your profile. This makes your edits so much more relevant than what you might come up with yourself, and helps you stand out to companies on the platform.

      Related: Meet Hired’s Candidate Experience Team: Supporting Jobseekers Every Step of the Way

      How does Hired compare to other methods you have used in your job search?

      Hired was the fastest in terms of helping me connect with new employers and streamlining the recruitment process. Companies come to you, instead of the other way around, which I have experienced with many other platforms. When I get matched with an employer, I already know the company wants to have a conversation tailored to me. I don’t have to make the effort to convince them my profile is what they should search for.

      What was your job search experience like before you joined Hired?

      Before Hired, I was jumping between recruitment agencies to get more exposure to different types of employers. Most couldn’t even tell the difference between Java and JavaScript, as most of their own filters were backfiring!

      What tips would you give to other jobseekers using the platform?

      Take advantage of the tips Hired offers and remember to apply them when creating your profile. Most importantly, make sure to be available and be respectful to employers. Being responsive and active helps build employers’ impression of you when making a decision about whether to interview you. More

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      Tech Candidate Spotlight – Efrem T., Sr Software Engineer

      by

      Welcome, Efrem! Can you start us off by sharing a bit about your educational background? 

      I am an Electrical Engineer by training. I was excited on the impact of software and its scale. To develop my skills, I joined a Master’s program in Computer Science. This led me to roles in Software Engineering. 

      My Computer Science degree made a huge impact by offering me a holistic understanding of software development and the infrastructure involved with it. 

      What areas would you like to learn more about?

      I would love to improve my leadership skills and emotional intelligence, which would help me take more ownership of projects. I also hope to have a better understanding of the start-up world to help me work toward entrepreneurial goals. 

      What led you to pursue a career in tech?

      I believe the network effect of tech is quite impressive. Once built, it can scale without having a huge cost. From the development point of view, it is engaging as I can immediately see the impact of my work on users all over. 

      How has your skillset evolved over the course of your career?

      I have grown from being a person who found it hard to write one piece of code to someone who can visualize the different intricacies of applications. This led me to challenge myself with problems and algorithms to find optimal solutions that improve performance. 

      What are did you choose to specialize in?

      Building software from scratch involving the front-end, back-end, and architecture of a system. I would also like to specialize in using data to assist in better decision making. 

      Is your new role different from previous ones?

      Yes, I am now working for start-up. In the past I worked for larger companies. My current role is also in a fast paced environment with a smaller team. 

      I’m excited for the chance to work with a growing start-up and in that process, wear many hats involving multiple facets of the software development cycle. I will be work alongside smart and engaged individuals who, I know, will push me to build my craft. 

      What was your job search experience like before you joined Hired?

      It involved a lot of calls just to set up an interview – and many times for an opportunity that doesn’t lead anywhere. With Hired, the process was smooth and companies that interviewed me were committed. The matching was precise! 

      If you are using Hired to find your next role, do as many interviews as possible. I encourage you to enjoy the process of interviewing as it challenges you mentally and is rewarding. Respect the time and effort of everyone involved in potentially offering you your next job. Also, don’t forget you can negotiate your salary. 

      Hired is a robust platform that does a lot of filtering to send you openings that are relevant, increasing your chances of landing a job in a short period of time.

      Any advice for other tech professionals?

      During the interview process, don’t stress yourself. Be as mentally prepared as possible and mitigate fear as much as you can. Anyone coming to interview you is there because they see your potential. So, all you have to do is shine!

      Great advice and congrats on the job! If you’d like to level up your career like Efrem did, complete your free profile on Hired today!

      About Lilt

      Lilt combines people, processes, and technology to guarantee the highest quality language translation services with the industry’s most rigorous QA program. Founded in 2015, Lilt has between 51-200 employees and is headquartered in San Francisco.

      Benefits

      Health/dental/vision/life/disability insurance, 401k matching, unlimited time off, work from home flexibility, management training, mental health benefits, and more. More

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      Tech Candidate Spotlight – Manuel Cheta, Senior Software Engineer in the UK

      by

      Can you start by sharing a bit bit about your educational background? 

      After finishing Aerospace Engineering university courses I decided to go into the web development world instead. I am a self-taught Front-End Developer. I learned about HTML, CSS, Javascript after opening my first WordPress blog and learning how to modify the website and manage my hosting space as a webmaster. 

      Being self-taught, accessing Youtube videos and development blogs helped enormously. The biggest impact on my career was my decision to press on, inspect the websites, and see how they were built. 

      What would you like to learn more about?

      I recently became interested in psychology and how to help people work together to reach a common goal. In addition, I am interested in deepening my Front-End dev knowledge and connected areas like DevOps, Backend, cloud, and even AI.

      Of course, because I work in fintech, I am also interested in learning as much as I can about personal finance and investing.

      What led you to pursue a career in tech?

      I always had an interest in computers, ever since playing Prince of Persia on an Intel 286 PC in the 7th grade. Since then, I spent time learning how to install an operating system, how to debug programs, and how to help people set up their own computer or home network. 

      How has your skillset evolved over the course of your career?

      Each year, I start with the hopes of learning a lot. I do learn quite a lot and at the end of the year I feel more stupid than I felt at the start, so the cycle repeats. From learning regular HTML/CSS to working on full-scale single-page apps in various frameworks, I am always on the lookout for a better understanding of the basics and new stuff to learn.

      If you chose to specialize in one area, what was it and why?

      I specialise in Front-End and web accessibility. I love working in Front-End because it gets me as close to the user as possible. My open nature lends itself to creating code, which can be seen, read, and felt by the end user. I am also keenly interested in promoting web accessibility because I firmly believe that when you make your website accessible, you make everyone’s lives way better.

      Is your new role different from previous ones?

      This year, my focus was on fintech and as such, I worked in fintech. I call myself a nano-investor because I am just learning how to better invest my time and money. That was why I moved away from the e-commerce industry to fintech. 

      What are you most excited about in your new role or company?

      We’re starting a new project and I can have the biggest impact right now since my experience as a senior dev can bring in the most value in setting the direction of development. Having worked on many projects I can identify pain points and offer suggestions.

      What was your job search experience like before you joined Hired?

      When I was a junior dev, a number of years ago when sites like Hired didn’t exist, I would simply push my CVs to different platforms without any hope of actually getting a response. Now, Hired makes my life way easier because I can tailor my profile to the industry I am interested in and I receive interview requests only from the companies I would be genuinely interested in. 

      What’s your best advice for jobseekers on Hired? 

      Make sure to have a 1-2 page CV that’s not too long. Also, create a specific “keywords” section to help the automated system identify your domain of work. When setting your profile to “open for work,” make sure your short bio concisely explains what your interests are.

      Be sure to use the correct asking price for the role and industry you are in. In terms of the asking price, insert a specific number like 65,789 so you attract more inquisitive recruiter minds. 

      Related: Want More Interviews and Better Matches? 5 Key Tips!

      What would you tell someone who’s curious about Hired?

      Just sign up! Spend a bit of time writing the best descriptions you can in each section and make sure you indicate the specific industry you want to work in. 

      Any general advice you’d like to give other tech professionals?

      Spend time learning about the companies your are interviewing for and what their interview process is like. Being a good tech professional matters. However, companies are looking for people who are enthusiastic about their company and like to work with others. Therefore, soft skills are more highly rated than tech skills. Tech can be learned, but culture and caring for your colleagues is not an easily teachable and transferrable skill.

      Congrats on the job, Manuel! Interested in landing a great role in the UK like Manuel did? Complete your free profile on Hired today!

      About Compare The Market

      Compare The Market is a price comparison website and provides customers with an easy way to make the right choice on a wide range of products including motor, home, life and energy. Founded in 2005, Compare the Market has between 501-1,000 employees and is headquartered in London. In 2021, it made Hired’s List of Top Employers Winning Tech Talent.

      Tech Stack

      JavaScript, Node.js, MongoDB, AWS, C#, .NET, iOS, Android, Docker, Git, HTML, CSS, Scala, Java, Kafka, Kubernetes, Python, React, Redux, Big Data

      Benefits

      Life/disability insurance, work-from-home flexibility, volunteer time off, flexible working hours, employee discount programs, and more. More

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      Tech Candidate Spotlight – Robert Wells, Security Engineering Technical Leader in the UK

      by

      Please share a little bit about your educational background and which educational opportunities made the biggest impact on your tech career.

      I earned a Bachelors in Electrical Engineering with Computer Science from University of NSW in Sydney. This was one of the first universities to be on the internet, outside of the US! I also did a lot of self study.

      I make use of numerous online courses and certifications as well as *some* great resources on YouTube. Beware of YouTube because the S/N ratio can be quite low so Caveat Emptor! 

      What would you like to learn more about?

      I’d like to learn more about Site Reliability Engineering to become a more well-rounded DevOps Engineer. Additionally, I’m interested in Golang.

      I’d also like to explore ways to improve having difficult conversations, as well as how to lead and inspire others. 

      What led you to pursue a career in tech?

      I’ve enjoyed programming and tech since I was young. I’ve especially enjoyed teaching and helping others.

      I think I got it from my dad who started programming in the late 1950s. Having to explain binary arithmetic to my 4th class teacher when I was nine was a highlight!

      How has your skillset evolved over the course of your career?

      I started out using various languages at Uni. Then, in my career I saw the common aspects across languages, which made picking up new languages quite easy. 

      Working on a project for Qantas and BA introduced me to Continuous Integration before the term DevOps was coined. It also made me a firm believer in the approach so my skillset has evolved from being Dev focused to being DevOps/ARE focused.

      If you choose to specialize in one area, what was it and why?

      I have chosen to focus on DevOps/SRE to enable solutions providing high-quality feedback to developers in a timely manner. Quick, timely feedback massively improves a developer’s working experience and attitude. I can confirm this through my own personal experience!

      Is your new role different from previous ones?

      I have moved away from consulting (telling and showing companies how to do something) to actually designing and implementing for a company (being hands-on!).

      What are some of the things you’re most excited about in your new role or company?

      I’m looking forward to contributing to a company and product responsible for so much of the internet and its continued smooth operation. I’m excited to actually build and run things as opposed to telling people how to build and run things.

      What was your job search experience like before you joined Hired?

      A lot of roles were quite scattergun. They were not really suitable for a DevOps professional. Hired brought a lot more focus so all requests were more tailored to what I was looking for in my next role.

      What’s your best advice for job seekers registered on the Hired platform? 

      Keep your resume up-to-date. Use tools like Calendly to advertise open time slots for your availability to have chats. 

      Accept requests for interviews even though you may initially think the role is not quite what you are looking for. You never know where you may actually end up after your initial chat with HR.

      Hired is a great platform to connect tech talent to high-quality companies. I highly recommend it!

      Any general advice you’d like to give other tech professionals?

      Never stop learning. The day you stop learning is the day you start dying! There are great online courses through Udemy, and other various suppliers such as AWS, Hashicorp, etc. I also recommend *some* tech channels on YouTube. TechWorld with Nana has a very high S/N ratio, and there are many channels from suppliers and conferences.

      Congrats on the job, Robert! Interested in landing a great role in the UK like Robert did? Complete your free profile on Hired today!

      About Cisco

      Cisco hardware, software, and service offerings are used to create the Internet solutions that make networks possible. Founded in 1984, Cisco has 5,001+ employees and is headquartered in San Jose.

      Tech Stack

      Python, Spark, Javascript, React, AWS, Kubernetes, Java, Go, Docker, Microservices, Kafka, iOS, Android, Kotlin, Kibana, Datadog, Terraform

      Benefits

      Health/dental/vision/life/disability insurance, 401k plan/matching, tuition reimbursement, paid time off, stock options, employee discount programs, job training, and more. More

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      Tech Candidate Spotlight – Fred Campbell, Software Engineer in the UK

      by

      Can you share a little bit about your educational background?

      I earned a traditional degree in Experimental Psychology. I later trained in my late twenties as a Software Engineer through Makers Academy bootcamp.

      It was great and I learned a lot from this practical, hands-on experience. Joining a small startup after that provided a lot of educational benefits. I was able to try my hand in lots of different areas.

      What would you like to learn more about?

      Tech related: I’d like to skill up as a front-end developer. I only have back-end experience so far and feel I’m missing out a bit! Non-tech related: Gardening as ours is a mess!

      What led you to pursue a career in tech?

      I previously coded HTML sites in Notepad in the early 2000s and drifted away from it. I felt dissatisfied with my career in Education many years later. 

      I then decided to take up coding again since I enjoyed it so much. Needless to say, things have changed since the turn of the millennium!

      How has your skillset evolved over the course of your career?

      Developing soft skills has been important alongside technical skills. Good listening and communication skills are so crucial but often overlooked in favour of blunt technical output. Working to become a well-rounded developer rather than just technically proficient is essential.

      If you choose to specialize in one area, what was it and why?

      I ended up moving into back-end through circumstance rather than choice. However, I’ve always had an interest in design and would like to pivot more into front-end if I have the opportunity.

      Is your new role different from previous ones? 

      It’s in a very different industry. I’m moving from fintech into hospitality. Sometimes it can feel daunting dropping all that domain knowledge and ‘starting again’ within a new industry.

      What are some of the things you’re most excited about in your new role or company?

      A highly-skilled and friendly team, a great product with clear direction, and a collaborative working environment. I am also looking forward to learning new technologies I have not worked with previously.

      What was your job search experience like before you joined Hired?

      I spoke to a few recruiters but nothing felt particularly targeted and nothing fit my overall experience level. I found the process much more frustrating than it needed to be. There was so much noise and it was hard to find a good match.

      What’s your best advice for job seekers registered on the Hired platform? 

      Be responsive and get back to recruiters regardless of whether the job is one you’re interested in. When you do find something that seems to be a good fit, it’s important to be clear about what you’re looking for and the skill set you can provide.

      What would you tell someone who’s curious about Hired?

      Go for it! The process was so smooth and straightforward, and the companies on the platform are very high quality.

      Any general advice you’d like to give other tech professionals?

      Take a break from your screen every once in a while. Don’t work into the evening. Focus on developing core tech skills rather than chasing the latest trends.

      Congrats on the job, Fred! Interested in landing a great role in the UK like Fred did? Complete your free profile on Hired today!

      About Triptease

      Triptease is a SaaS startup building software to help the hotel industry increase their direct bookings. Their industry-leading products bring the right guests straight to the right hotel so they can get the best price direct. Founded in 2013, Triptease has 51-200 employees and is headquartered in London.

      Tech Stack

      TypeScript, Node.JS, Python, HTML, CSS, React, Redux, Jest, Google Cloud Platform, Docker, Kubernetes, PostgreSQL, Redis, Airflow, Jupyter, Continuous Deployment, CircleCI, Test Driven Development (TDD), Pair Programming, Looker, BigQuery, Behavior-driven Development (BDD)

      Benefits

      Stock options, paid time off, maternity/paternity benefits, tuition reimbursement, career growth, diversity program, job training, and more. More

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      Tech Candidate Spotlight – Phillip Chan, Senior Software Engineer

      by

      Can you share a little bit about your educational background and what has made the biggest impact on your tech career?

      I have a traditional degree from UC-Berkeley. However, it’s not in Computer Science, but Applied Mathematics and Statistics. Later, I got an online Master’s degree in Computer Science to support my career from Georgia Tech.

      I don’t think my educational opportunities made as measurable of an impact on my career compared to industry experience. That is what has been really valuable for launching my tech career.

      What would you like to learn more about?

      I want to learn more about tech-related topics to enhance my career and understand industry trends. For non-tech topics, I’m interested in topics related to general career growth.

      Related: Check our blog for insights into tech career growth.

      What led you to pursue a career in tech?

      Compensation! Compared to any high compensation jobs, Software Engineering was easier for me to get into. [I think] there is no [better] way to make a good compensation than Software Engineering.

      Related: Use our Salary Calculator to see how companies value your experience.

      How has your skillset evolved over the course of your career?

      I studied a lot of different Software Engineering courses for my Master’s Computer Science degree. I don’t think the knowledge from those  courses evolved my skillset by very much but it laid a foundation for my understanding of the basic concepts.

      What is the one area you would specialize in?

      I would pick Machine Learning. It’s something I am interested in and should polish my skills in more!

      Related: How to Become a Machine Learning Engineer: Tech Career Guide (Video) 

      Is your new role different from previous ones? 

      Yes, I’m now in an entirely different industry. I went from a banking and ATM services company to an advertisement technology company.

      What excites you about this new role?

      I feel most excited about the new team I get to work with. It’s a great workplace atmosphere and the projects they are working on are top-notch in the industry! Also, the employee benefits they have are great perks.

      What was your job search experience like before you joined Hired?

      Before joining Hired, I got LinkedIn messages or emails from different recruiters. I think the difference between joining Hired and messages from different recruiters, Hired has a central place for me to schedule everything.

      So it was more efficient and organized for you – great! What’s your best advice for jobseekers registered on the Hired platform? 

      Get ready for interview requests from recruiters in advance. I recommend starting to prepare on the first day you register on the Hired platform. I received at least four interview requests within just a few hours. However, I was not well prepared for them [yet]. Don’t make that same mistake!

      Related: Resources for interview preparation: 

      What would you tell someone who’s curious about Hired?

      It’s easy to use, and it’s REAL. I got many interview requests and ultimately a job offer using Hired.

      Congrats on the job, Phillip! Interested in landing a great Engineering role like Phillip did? Complete your free profile on Hired today!

      About LiveRamp

      LiveRamp is data enablement platform helping companies and their partners better connect, control, and activate data to transform customer experiences. Founded in 2012, LiveRamp has between 1,001-1,500 employees and is headquartered in San Francisco.

      Tech Stack

      Java, Go, Ruby, Hadoop, Kafka, Kubernetes, Google Cloud Platform, React, Ruby on Rails, Scala

      Benefits

      Life/health/dental/vision/disability insurance, 401k matching, work-from-home flexibility, unlimited time off, remote first, tuition reimbursement, management training, and more. More